, 1887-03-04
Congressional Notes.

WASHINGTON, March 3-The house has
passed the enate bill repeating the tenure
of office act. The bill goes to the presi-
dent; also the bill accepting certain lands
near Chicago for military purposes.
The bill for the redemption of trade
dollars and the anti-polygamy bill have
become laws without the presidents sig
nature, by reason of the expiration of the
expiration tonight of the constitutional
limitation Of ten days within which he
should have returned the bills to congress
in case OF disapproval. Both bills were
carefully considered by the president, and
while they contained some provisions to
which he preferred not to commit him
self, he was unwilling to defeat the objects
of the measures by veto.
The conferees on the naval bill have
agreed that it is impossible to get the ex
act totals or features of the bill in detail,
as the clerical work is not yet finished.
In general terms, however, it can be said
that the senate plan, dividing the appro-
prlation between cruisers and harbor de-
tense vessels is adopted. The bill carries
an appropriation of about $l4, goo, 900 in
round numbers, in excess of the regular
provision for a naval establishment. This
is for repairs to old vessels, for new cruis-
crs and for armor and armored ships.
The number of new fass cruisers to be
built is four. The amountto be expended
for floating batteries or heavily armored
craft as the naval authorities may decide,
is 50, 900, 900.
The secretary of the navy is authorized
to advertise for the construction of cruiser
No. ] 0he Newark and the limit of
cost is extended to 81, 100000, exclusive
of armament. The limit OF cost for two
fast cruisers is fixed at 49, 900, 900, half
OF which sum is appropriated by the bill.
Fifty thousand dollars is appropriated for
the purchase and trial of torpedoes, to be
Immediately available. Two million four
hundred and twenty thousand dollars is
appropriated for the construction of
double turreted monitors. Towards the
armament of the vessels provided for in
the acts of 1885 and 1886, and the untin-
lshed monitors, 81, l2S, 1863 is appropriate
ed; towards the procuring and testing of
armor and gun steels for the vessels au-
thorized by the act of 1886, and the un-
finished monitors and vessels authorized
by this act 81, 1000 900 is appropriated.
1t is admitted as a probability by mem
bers Of the senate committee on appro-
priations, that the general deficiency bill
will fail. The failure will not necessitate
an extra session.
The president has decided not to go ia
the capitol tomorrow for the purpose Of
acting on measures which may be passed
by congress during the last hours of the
session. He advised the president of the
senate and speaker of the house of his
decision in this respect early last evening,
and added that the executive office would
remain open all night and up to the very
hour of adjournment at noon tomorrow
Tor all matters requiring executive action.
In accordance with this plan, the presi-
dent and most Of the members of his cab
met will remain on duty at the white
house nearly all night and consider a large
number of important bills which passed
the senate Yesterday.
The conference report upon the bill to
provide for bringing suits against the
United States was made and agreed to.
A number of vetoed bills for public build
ings were passed over the veto.
Among the items added by the com
mittee on appropriations to the general
deficiency bill are the following: For the
South Boston iron works for guns now
being constructed, $50, 900; for the Union
Pacific railroad for transportation service
for certain years, $l35, 00O; for the Cen
trail Pacific or Southern Pacific for trans
portation service, 1924, 497; for salaries
and expenses of the Mississippi river
commission, Sl5, 900; to complete steel
cruisers, construction and armament,
s261 ,043; for inland mail transportation
by non-aided roads operated by the Cen
trail Pacific, $40, 900; for the %transporta-
ton of army supplies in 1884, and previ-
ously increased from $40, 500 to $3.50, 900,
the clause of the existing claim of the
Central Pacific is struck out; for the
Pennsylvania railroad, transportation of
army supplies, $4,000. There are a great
number of amendments appropriating
smaller sums.
SPARKS FROM THE WIRES.
Congress was still in session at3:3O this
morning.
a slight shock of earthquake was felt
at Charleston, S. C., at 2:l5 this morn
ing.
The rumor that O'Donoyan Rosa had
decamped is denied. He says his paper
ls not permanently suspended.
The president has approved the bill
appropriating $500 600 for the purchase
of n site for th.. San Erancieco most of;co